Michael A. De Leon is a graphic designer by day, but wears many hats in his off time. In 2004, after several years of covering the Spurs, he started Project Spurs, a Spurs team fansite as an outlet to provide content to Spurs fans, while continuing to write for himself and learning the ins and outs of online publishing and web design. He has since built a writing team and started a popular weekly Spurs podcast called the Spurscast.

Note: This is an mySA.com City Brights Blog. These blogs are not written or edited by mySA or the San Antonio Express-News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

Debate: Passing the torch (Part 1)

As the Tim Duncan era is nearing the end, staff-writers Robby Lim and Jason Rogers will be having a debate on which current San Antonio Spurs player will most likely be the one to carry the torch for the team post Duncan era. Up first is Robby Lim.

I know it’s a little too early. Tim Duncan is not retiring tomorrow. But hey it’s the offseason, the NBA Draft is over, Tiago Splitter finally signed with the Spurs, the major free-agents are signed and the 2010 NBA Summer League is winding down so why not have some fun and try to look into the future of the franchise.

Let’s be realistic, the Duncan era is slowly coming to a close but he still has two to three good years in him. Maybe four? However, with the current roster makeup, who do you think will be the best player three years down the road? My best bet – DeJuan Blair.

Surprised? Let me explain.

Blair had one of the most successful rookie seasons as a Spur. He ranks third in points per game among rookies (behind Duncan and Tony Parker) since the 1997-1998 season and he managed to do this despite averaging just 18.2 minutes per ball game.

Not only that, last year he was one the most efficient player in Spurs uniform. His PER was 17.8 third behind Duncan (24.8) and Manu Ginobili (22.5). As he averaged 7.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and .61 steals while shooting 55.6% from the field in 82 games. Now think long term and as he gets better, his numbers could possibly be even better.